A Formidable Liu Fusheng

"Ah, so it's Young Master Lin Yi!"

When Liu Fusheng saw Lin Yi's face, he suddenly smiled, his cheeks bunching up until all the fat was squeezed together. He looked just as he had during the day.

But now, there wasn't a trace of the kindly, Maitreya-like expression he'd worn earlier. In the firelight, his face looked somewhat sinister and terrifying.

"Young Master Lin Yi, did you see what happened just now?"

"No."

Lin Yi immediately denied it.

"This bandit and I only just fought our way here. When we arrived, the warehouse was already ablaze. As for who set the fire, I, Lin, haven't the faintest idea."

"But Steward Liu, as the manager of this Wang's Pharmacy branch, must have come here after seeing the warehouse catch fire, specifically to inspect the blaze and help put it out, right?"

"Clap, clap, clap!"

At Lin Yi's explanation, Liu Fusheng clapped with a beaming smile, his face full of approval.

"Good! Good! Young Master Lin Yi truly is a prodigy of Guangling Martial Academy. You really are extraordinary."

"You're young, yet not only are you skilled, your wisdom, methods, and ability to adapt are remarkably seasoned. You're far better than I was at your age!"

"I remember when I was your age, Young Master Lin Yi, I'd just entered Ninth Grade and was so pleased with myself because Instructor Master thought highly of me and added two taels of silver to my monthly wages! Compared with you, I fall far short!"

"But it's a pity. The cleverer you are, the less I can afford to let you live today! Otherwise, I'm afraid I'd never sleep soundly again."

As he spoke, the smile slowly faded from Liu Fusheng's face. Terrifying killing intent gradually bloomed in his tiny, mung-bean-sized eyes.

"Steward Liu, you really intend to attack me?"

Lin Yi's expression turned grim.

"Setting aside whether you can beat me, even if you are strong enough to kill me in the end..."

"I'm a disciple of the Martial Arts Academy. The moment I die, Guangling Martial Academy will investigate thoroughly. Do you think you'll be able to escape?"

"And if you don't believe what I said earlier, you can ask this bandit. The two of us really did just get here. We truly didn't see anything."

Lin Yi explained.

He truly didn't want to make an enemy of Liu Fusheng at a time like this. Aside from the Black Wind Stronghold bandits who could attack at any moment, Liu Fusheng's earlier odd behavior and his actions now made it clear that this fat shopkeeper, who appeared to be only at Seventh Grade Mid Stage, was far from as simple as he seemed.

What's more, Lin Yi clearly remembered that Liu Fusheng had asked him about his strength over drinks that evening.

Lin Yi hadn't answered, but the Medicine Escort Team guards had boasted about it and told Liu Fusheng outright.

Since Liu Fusheng still intended to attack him under these circumstances, then—unless one entertained the impossible idea that Liu Fusheng was a fool—he must have a terrifying trump card.

So, fighting him now would be a terrible idea.

Lin Yi's thoughts raced as he searched for a way to drive Liu Fusheng off.

Across from him, Liu Fusheng heard his explanation and shook his head with a smile.

"It doesn't matter! It doesn't matter!"

"I don't care whether you really didn't see anything or are pretending you didn't. Either way, you're both going to die tonight."

"Because I've always believed that only the dead can keep a secret forever!"

"Whoosh!"

Before Liu Fusheng had even finished speaking, his right hand flicked sharply. In the blink of an eye, a green slender soft sword appeared in his grasp.

Then he moved. His body was enormously fat, yet he was now more agile than a leopard. With a single thrust, he lunged at Lin Yi and the Late Seventh Rank bandit.

"Not good! This is dangerous!"

The moment Lin Yi saw Liu Fusheng's attack, his brow twitched. A powerful sense of danger flooded his heart. He quickly swung his saber, knocking away the Late Seventh Rank bandit.

At the same time, he pushed off with one foot and retreated more than ten meters in an instant, as light as a butterfly.

And then—

"Ah!"

A scream rang out. The bandit left behind had no power to resist Liu Fusheng's strike. In almost an instant, the sword pierced his brow, killing him on the spot!

"Late Seventh Rank, Seventh Grade Martial Skill Perfection!"

Lin Yi's expression turned terribly grim as he saw the power of Liu Fusheng's strike.

He'd long guessed that Liu Fusheng's strength was no ordinary thing, but he hadn't expected him to be this formidable!

Seventh Grade Martial Skill Perfection. That level of martial skill was on par with Lin Yi's own Sixth Rank Perfection Bright Moon Saber Art. Even among Peak Seventh Rank martial artists, only a tiny handful could reach such a level.

As for Liu Fusheng's Late Seventh Rank cultivation, it was well behind that terrifying mastery of martial skill, but it was still frightening—two minor stages above Lin Yi.

All things considered, Liu Fusheng's strength was absolutely comparable to the most ordinary Sixth Rank Early Stage expert. He was far stronger than Lin Yi.

Even though Lin Yi's Bright Moon Saber Art excelled at defense, he would probably struggle to last a hundred moves against Liu Fusheng.

"Run!"

As soon as the thought crossed his mind, Lin Yi turned and fled.

But he didn't flee out of the pharmacy. He headed for its center.

There, Sixth Rank Perfection expert Wang Chuan was battling another Sixth-Rank expert, a burly man wielding a hammer.

There were also other Peak Seventh Rank and Sixth-Rank bandits there.

Once Lin Yi reached them, Liu Fusheng would absolutely not dare attack him again.

On the other hand, if he fled outside the pharmacy and Liu Fusheng caught up to him, he'd truly be doomed!

"Trying to run? Do you think you can get away from me?"

Seeing which way Lin Yi was headed, Liu Fusheng immediately understood his plan. He gave a cold laugh and took off. He was even a third faster than before, moving like a phantom. Within seconds, he had caught up with Lin Yi.

"Die!"

Liu Fusheng gave a quiet shout and thrust his soft sword. Like a venomous snake choosing its prey, it shot straight for Lin Yi's throat.

Feeling the gust of force rush at him from behind, Lin Yi had no choice but to stop and swing around, slashing his saber at it.

"Clang!"

The saber collided with the soft sword, and a powerful force surged toward Lin Yi from the other side.

His body shuddered under the impact. His footing faltered, and the force sent him stumbling back seven or eight steps before he finally stopped.

The instant Lin Yi came to a halt, Liu Fusheng flicked his soft sword. It instantly became a terrifying streak of swordlight, hurtling toward Lin Yi once more.